If your folder list disappeared in Outlook, the folder pane is usually just hidden or collapsed. In new Outlook and Outlook on the web, select the View tab, then Folder pane > Folder list > Show. In classic Outlook, select View > Folder Pane > Normal. If the pane is back but folders are missing, select the arrow next to your email address to expand it, or press Ctrl + 6 in classic Outlook to show every folder.
Applies to: new Outlook for Windows, classic Outlook (Microsoft 365, 2024, 2021, 2019), Outlook on the web, Outlook.com and Outlook mobile. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
Show the folder pane in new Outlook
- Select the View tab on the ribbon.
- Select Folder pane.
- Select Folder list, then Show.
You can also select the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left corner of the mail list to open or close the folder pane. Outlook on the web and Outlook.com use the same steps. Microsoft’s guide to showing all folders in Outlook covers both versions.
Show the folder pane in classic Outlook
- Select the View tab.
- Select Folder Pane > Normal. If it’s set to Minimized, you only see a thin bar on the left; if it’s Off, nothing shows.
A minimized pane can also be opened by selecting the small arrow (>) at the top of the thin bar on the left.
Show every folder, not just favorites
The top of the folder pane shows Favorites, a shortcut list. Your full folder tree is below it, under your email address.
- Expand your account: select the arrow next to your email address to show all its folders.
- Expand subfolders: folders with an arrow next to them contain other folders. Select the arrow to open them.
- Classic Outlook folder list: press Ctrl + 6 to switch to the Folder List view, which shows every folder, including Notes, Journal and hidden system folders. Press Ctrl + 1 to go back to Mail.
In current versions of Outlook, the buttons for Mail, Calendar, People and To Do moved from the bottom of the folder pane to a vertical bar on the far left of the window. If you can see your folders but not those buttons, look at the left edge. Select an icon there to switch between Mail, Calendar and the other apps.
Find a folder that’s actually missing
If the folder pane is visible but one folder is gone, it was probably moved, renamed or deleted by accident, often by dragging it onto another folder.
- Check inside other folders. Expand every folder with an arrow, especially the one just above or below where it used to be, and your Inbox.
- Search for a message you know was in it. Open the message from the search results. In classic Outlook, press Ctrl + Shift + F or right-click the message and look at the folder name shown in the results. Then you know where the folder went.
- Check Deleted Items. Deleted folders appear there as subfolders. Right-click the folder and select Move to put it back.
- Recover deleted items. If you emptied Deleted Items, select Recover items deleted from this folder (new Outlook and the web) or Recover Deleted Items on the Home tab (classic Outlook, Microsoft 365 accounts) within about 30 days.
Folders missing in Outlook mobile
In the Outlook app on iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture or the account icon in the top-left corner to open the folder list. Folders can be collapsed: tap the arrow at the right edge of a folder row to expand it. With IMAP accounts, folders such as Sent may appear inside the Inbox.
Troubleshooting
The View tab doesn’t have a Folder pane option
You may be using the simplified ribbon. Select the down arrow at the right end of the ribbon and switch to Classic ribbon, or look under the Layout group on the View tab.
Folders show in Outlook on the web but not in the desktop app
The desktop app hasn’t finished syncing. Select Send/Receive > Update Folder, or close and reopen Outlook. If a folder still doesn’t appear, right-click your account and select Update folder list where available.
Only some folders appear for an IMAP account
IMAP accounts only show folders you’re subscribed to. In classic Outlook, right-click the account, select IMAP Folders, select Query, and subscribe to the missing folders.
The folder pane keeps closing
The window may be too narrow. Maximize Outlook or widen the window, then show the pane again.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the shortcut to show the folder list in Outlook?
In classic Outlook, Ctrl + 6 opens the full Folder List. In new Outlook, use View > Folder pane.
How do I add a folder to Favorites?
Right-click the folder and select Add to Favorites. It then appears at the top of the folder pane.
How do I delete a folder I don’t need?
Right-click it and select Delete folder. See how to delete a folder in Outlook.
Related: How to reset Outlook to default settings.
Related: How to change the Outlook view back to normal.
Related: how to stop grouping messages by conversation in Outlook.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.